Illinois Tollway, Blick Art Materials and U.S. Equities Ask High School Students to Create Artwork About Work Zone Safety

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – The Illinois Tollway, Blick Art Materials and U.S. Equities today invited high school art students to participate in the 2014 Tollway Map Cover Art Contest.

Students are invited to submit original works of art created to remind drivers about the need to drive safely in work zones where construction activity is happening on the Illinois Tollway, focusing on one or more of these themes:• Slowing down saves lives – the work zone speed limit is in effect at all times, 24/7.• Expect the unexpected – drivers need to pay attention at all times. • No cell phones – hand-held cell phones are illegal in work zones.• All of us, together – work zone safety is critical for drivers and their families, as well as construction workers doing their jobs along the Tollway.

“To date, nearly $1.4 billion in construction and engineering contracts has been awarded since the Tollway’s new Move Illinois capital program began in 2012 and we plan to invest another $1.4 billion in 2014 alone,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “With all of the construction happening on the Tollway, work zone safety is more critical than ever for drivers and their families, as well as the men and women working on our job sites.”

More than 400 high schools in the 12 counties served by the Illinois Tollway have been sent information about this year’s contest. Art contest entries will be accepted beginning September 3 and must be postmarked no later than October 4.

Artwork created by the grand prize winner will be featured on the cover of the Tollway’s 2014 map, which is distributed at no cost to more than 125,000 customers. Three runners-up will be featured in the Tollway’s annual report. Awards include: • Grand prize winner: $400 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials and $200 in gift certificates from U.S. Equities to use at oases retail shops and restaurants• Runners-up: $200 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials and $100 in gift certificates from U.S. Equities• All students who participate in the contest will receive a certificate of appreciation• Winners will be acknowledged at an Illinois Tollway Board meeting in November

“Blick Art Materials is pleased to participate once again in this student art contest,” said Blick Art Materials Chief Executive Bob Buchsbaum. “We are looking forward to seeing the innovative art designs from these aspiring young artists.”

A Tollway committee will initially judge all contest entries to determine the top 10. Those top 10 entries will be featured on the Illinois Tollway’s website and displayed in galleries at each of the seven Tollway oases during the last two weeks of October. The public is invited to view the artwork and cast their votes online at www.illinoistollway.com to choose the top four entries. The grand prize winner and three runners-up will be selected by a panel of judges, including members of the Tollway Board of Directors and representatives from U.S. Equities.

“U.S. Equities is thrilled to be partnering with the Illinois Tollway and Blick Art Materials for this year’s map cover art contest, which encourages young artists to showcase their talents to promote work zone safety,” said Cindy O’Drobinak, RPA, Senior Vice President of U.S. Equities Realty. “We look forward to seeing the artwork on display throughout the oases.”

Contest rules and all required entry forms are posted on the Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com.

The Illinois Tollway launched the Map Cover Art Contest in 2011 to highlight the work of talented art students from the communities served by the Illinois Tollway. Last year, 57 entries from student artists attending 26 high schools throughout the region were submitted and more than 11,400 votes were cast by the general public. The 2013 Tollway map features cover artwork from last year’s contest winner, Highland Park High School student Abby Friedman.

About Blick Art MaterialsFounded in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1911, Blick Art Materials is one of the largest and oldest providers of art supplies in the United States, with 73 retail stores nationwide. Its products cater to the full spectrum of artists — from the youngest child ready to scribble with his or her first crayon to well-known, gallery-represented professionals. The company’s extensive selection, competitive prices and superior customer service make Blick the best choice for art educators, students, artists, architects, designers, hobbyists or anyone requiring quality art materials for work or pleasure. A long-time advocate of art education in the U.S., Blick also provides support of scholastic, collegiate and professional art shows, both financially and through a variety of materials that emphasize the benefits of art education. Blick also supports the communities in which it does business by sponsoring in-store events, local schools, art leagues and community groups across the country. Visit www.dickblick.com for more information.

About U.S. Equities RealtyU.S. Equities Realty is a leading full-service commercial real estate firm headquartered in Chicago, with operations in North and South America. The company serves as a strategic real estate advisor to clients throughout the United States and Latin America, providing development, program management, build-to-suit and construction oversight services; asset management and leasing; tenant representation, consulting and advisory services; and acquisition, disposition and financing of real estate assets. The asset management services group provides asset oversight, property and facility management, marketing and leasing and strategic planning to a diverse group of clients. Currently, the portfolio includes more than 1,000 properties totaling over 29 million square feet of office, retail, institutional, dormitory, facility and residential management services for approximately 60 clients, including 1.5 million square feet of management assignments along Chicago's famous Michigan Avenue.

About the Illinois TollwayThe Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 286 miles of interstate tollways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80).